Physical Activity Reduces Alcohol Consumption Induced by Reward Downshift

Increased voluntary consumption of alcohol and other anxiolytics has been demonstrated in animals after experiencing frustrative reward devaluation (downshift) or omission. These results have been interpreted in terms of emotional self-medication. In the present study, we analyzed whether voluntary physical activity reduces alcohol intake induced by reward downshift. Sixty-four male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups (n = 8). Thirty-two (downshifted) animals received 32% sucrose during 10 preshift sessions (5 min), followed by 4% sucrose during five postshift sessions, whereas 32 (unshifted) controls were always exposed to 4% sucrose. Immediately after each consummatory session, animals were exposed to a 2-hr two-bottle preference test involving 32% alcohol versus water or water versus water. Half of the animals had also access to a wheel for voluntary running during the preference test. The results showed lower sucrose consumption in downshifted groups compared with unshifted controls (the frustrative reward downshift effect). Reward downshift significantly increased alcohol intake, this effect being absent in downshifted animals with access to the wheel. These findings suggest that physical exercise could be useful to prevent alcohol self-medication induced by frustrative nonreward. Public Health Significance Human and nonhuman studies suggest that consumption-dependent reduction in negative affect promotes alcohol intake. This "self-medication behavior" has been observed in frustrating situations involving reward loss. This study showed (in rats) that increased alcohol intake induced by a reward devaluation event was abolished by voluntary wheel running. Physical exercise could therefore be useful to prevent the maladaptive effects of frustration on drug use.